Skip to content

WW2 veteran who fought on D-Day dies aged 100

Rachael McMenemy
PA Media Dougie Shelley wearing his suit jacket with a row of medals pinned to his chest. He is wearing a white shirt and navy tie. He also wears a white naval beret and is holding a small glass up in toast.PA Media
Dougie Shelley, one of the last World War Two veterans, has died aged 100

A World War Two veteran who served in the Arctic convoys and played a role in D-Day has died aged 100.

Dougie Shelley, from Essex, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17 and received more than 16,000 birthday cards when he turned 100 in September after an appeal, died on 21 March.

Shelley was a seaman gunner on the destroyer HMS Milne on D-Day and guarded troops going ashore during the Normandy landings in June 1944.

"We are incredibly sad to hear that Dougie Shelley has crossed the bar. Fairwinds and following seas shipmate," the Royal Naval Association said

Doug is reading a birthday card he received and he is smiling. He is wearing a dark blue suit, with a cream coloured beret and medals across the left part of his chest. There is an England flag in the background.
Dougie Shelley received more than 16,000 cards for his 100th birthday in September

Shelley was awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur, and was told the news on his 100th birthday.

When speaking on his birthday, Carol Pendrigh, a committee member of the Southend Branch of the RNA, described Shelley as "not just a veteran, he's a true local hero".

PA Media A black and white picture of a young man, He has short dark hair and is looking towards the camera, smiling. The photograph has white lines or creases on it.PA Media
Dougie Shelley joined the Royal Navy aged 17 and served as a seaman gunner in World War Two
One of Doug's cards. It says 'Happy 100th Dougie' written on it. Other cards can be seen alongside it.
Doug Shelley's cards and gifts came from across the world

After an appeal for cards and well wishes to celebrate his milestone birthday, Shelley received cards from all over the world, as well as one from the King and Queen and prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More stories like this
Related internet links